Hearing devices are one of the best ways to treat hearing loss, especially since they allow users to experience life to its fullest. Among other things, hearing aids help keep the auditory neural pathway stimulated, which ensures that people maintain the ability to process sound.

"Hearing loss degrades acoustic cues, and those cues are really critical to the emotional and social experience," said K.K. Gross, who runs the clinical operations for Shea Hearing Aid Center in Memphis and Nashville.

Thankfully, hearing aids (and the technology driving them) are more advanced than ever, which is great news for anyone missing those cues — or who may be unsure of whether hearing devices are right for them.

In fact, here are four ways advances in hearing technology are benefitting hearing devices — and, by extension, the people who wear them.

Users are more satisfied with today's hearing devices.

Hearing aid technology has come a long way in recent years, specifically in regards to precision and user experience. This comes as a result of more sophisticated technology, specifically in the number of technical components that make a hearing aid function.

"The chips have gotten so much smaller, we're able to fit more [components in a shell] and make the hearing devices do more," Gross said, adding that more flexibility leads to improved quality of life and greater self-confidence.

For example, Gross explained that earlier models of hearing aids amplified all sounds, without distinguishing between different types, and sometimes produced feedback in someone's ear.

"[With] the primitive technology, nobody got hearing aids until they just could not function without them," she said.

"Today, that has all changed. People at the earliest stages of hearing loss are noticing a tremendous difference delivered by the technology that has been developed."

Modern hearing aids provide a richer emotional response and connection to sound.

Sound is perceived differently depending on the environment, acoustics and even listening situation. Gross likened it to listening to a symphony in a grand concert hall versus on a surround-sound stereo system.

"While both may have an emotional response, being immersed in that experience is always a more robust connection to the sound," she said.

The same concept holds true for hearing aid wearers: Devices that offer better sound clarity give wearers a deeper connection to the world around them.

Today's hearing aids are often compatible with modern mobile technology. This has revolutionized hearing loss treatment, as devices can be integrated with users' everyday cell phones or tablets.

In other words, someone might be able to stream music directly into their hearing aids, or fire up an app that can adjust the tone and frequency of speech.

"You're able to adapt and make it more personal in every environment that you want to," Gross said. "And that's a big deal, having some control over programming out in the real world."

Ensuring that users can calibrate ever-changing sonic environments by themselves is empowering and makes hearing aids a more attractive option.

"Today's hearing aid wearers want to hear all the subtleties of life," Gross said. "We live in such a digital world that is so connected, and so fast, that we have signals coming from everywhere.

"No matter how complex that environment may be, we want to be a part of it," she adds. "New technology is allowing hearing aids to deliver that."

Modern hearing aids are better equipped to help complicated hearing loss cases.

Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of modern hearing aids is how they can tackle even the most challenging cases of hearing loss.

"We see many patients who are thrilled to find out that there is hope for them, because they've been told in the past that there was not," Gross said. "And that makes a difference for people."

Conclusion

Because there are so many hearing aid options available today, Gross stressed that people have a "candid conversation" with a provider who can recommend the proper customized solution.

After all, technology is advancing rapidly. In the future, devices may incorporate artificial intelligence, track vital signs such as heart rate or be able to get ahold of an emergency contact during a crisis.

Gross noted that some hearing aid models may even have cutting-edge technology that adjusts sound processing in response to head movements.

Even hearing professionals are in awe of the great things coming down the hearing technology pipeline.

"We're all amazed," Gross said. "The conversation goes something along the lines of 'Wow, wonder what they'll do next?'"